How Would NASCAR Handle A "Sterling" Situation

5/06/2014

Robyn Vandenberg

Before you read this I
would like to state that I in no way believe that all

NASCAR fans are racist
AND that I know racism exists

amongst
every race, creed, color and religion.

Last weekend, TMZ released a private conversation between LA
Clippers owner, Donald Sterling and his Mistress V. Stiviano. We were only
allowed to hear 15 minutes of a 45 minute conversation where clearly Stiviano
is baiting Sterling to give his views on race. What sparked the conversation
was clear. Ms. Stiviano posted a picture of herself on Instagram with Magic
Johnson. Johnson happens to be a black man. Sterling was very upset and asked
that she not post pictures of herself with anyone other than lily white peeps.
Oh, and don’t bring any black people to the games as well. She is allowed to do
whatever she wants ...privately. The outcry from some NBA players, fans, and
SOME owners were crystal clear. Something had to be done and NBA Commissioner
David Silver knew he would have to make the biggest decision of his career. He
banned Sterling from any Clippers related events for life and gave him the
maximum fine of 2.5 million dollars. He also asked that the Governing Board of
the NBA Owners move quickly and vote Sterling out as owner of The Clippers.

My question is this. How would NASCAR fans handle this
situation? Would there be such an outcry for justice if the said owner was Jack
Roush, Richard Childress or Rick Hendrick? Non-NASCAR fans would most likely
act in the same vain as they did with Sterling. I’m afraid of what the answer
to my question would be ...and that is sad.

One of the many statements I saw on the internet was, “This
was a private conversation and what a man says in the
privacy of his own home should be sacred.” I agree whole heartedly however,
somehow this was made public and there was nothing that could stop this
hemorrhage. The NBA had to react because of the FANS and because of the players
themselves that were deeply hurt by what was said. I am not a black woman so I
can not in any way say that I empathize with this situation. However, I am a
human being and I was mortified at what I was listening to. My family was not
raised racist and I stayed that way. You make a choice to hate or not every
single day. What scares me is that I am not 100% convinced that a majority of
NASCAR fans would ask for something, if anything, to be done in this same
situation. There would be an exact opposite outcry possibly. The screaming of
freedom of speech and privacy laws , etc., with Sarah Palin showing up at
racetracks promising she would make all of this right in her own special little
way, You Betcha! What some people fail to understand
is that Silver based his decision on the Constitution of by-laws made up by the
NBA. If you want to know more, please by all means click here and read where
his decision is warranted.

NASCAR has been here before and rather recently in fact. The
sad part is I did not even remember this until I was researching for this
article. That shows how HUGE the NON out cry and horror of the situation was
with some NASCAR fans. They were more concerned of what the damn word was. The
decision made by NASCAR to indefinitely suspend driver Jeremy Clements in Feb
2013 for using a racial slur while talking to an MTV reporter in regards to
Johanna Long's trailer lasted two races. NASCAR used their Code of Conduct, as defined in Section 7-5 of the
sanctioning body's rulebook, as well as Section 12-1, actions detrimental to
stock car racing to make their decision.Two races.

NASCAR is well aware that they
already have a stigma attached to them. That stigma is based on its roots. The Good Ol' Boys from the South.Boys that slung their moonshine and raised their confederate flags.They have done what they can with their minority program. They were
quick with the Clements situation. They seem to already have a pulse of what
could happen to sponsorship if anything like the Sterling case were to happen.
Again, it is some of the fans that may be the issue.

Let’s play a game : A BIG TIME
NASCAR owner is having dinner with someone he thinks he can trust. He says some
racist remarks and the said person has this conversation on tape. It is leaked.
TMZ immediately without hesitation plasters it up on their site and within
seconds it is HUGE NEWS. “NASCAR Owner of all white race team is racist!” (THIS
IS A GAME NOT FACT).

What would your reaction be? What would you want NASCAR to do
when everyone out there in the world has heard such remarks, and no matter in
what capacity? His presence at any race would be a distraction to his team and
to NASCAR itself. Is this fair? Regardless of how I feel about race I have to
say that I believe in freedom of speech yet I am also SMART enough to know that
anything I say could be used against me at any time and by anyone. I would hope
all the fans would agree. I’m saddened that I may be wrong. People are allowed
to have their opinions and they are allowed to be racist. When I heard what
Sterling said I was not surprised at all. An old white guy?
DUH! So there, I am racist against a lot of old white guys that never learned
to love all and hate none.

I would like to state that I am in NO way stating that all
NASCAR fans are racist in any way. In fact it is upsetting that many are called
Redneck Racists. That is just as wrong in my opinion. I am stating that some
fans would use Freedom of Speech/ Privacy Laws in order to DEFER from the real
issue ONCE made public. Former NBA player Kareem Abdul Jabar
wrote the best piece in regards to all of this. I ask that you read it and
share any comments that you may have below.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Race Fans Forever are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of Race Fans Forever. Race Fans Forever is not affiliated with NASCAR or any other motorsports sanctioning body in any form..